Game in Marvel-Chapter 100

"This place is much better than I expected," Natasha remarked, glancing around the inn. Her voice was cool, but her appreciation for the comfort was genuine. The warm baths, proper food, and sturdy beds were a welcome change from the harsh ride.

Tony, who had retracted his javelin into its compact backpack form before entering Emhyr's fortress, stretched with exaggerated satisfaction.

"Not bad at all, considering the medieval aesthetic. I mean, I was expecting straw beds and wooden bowls."

Yennefer and Geralt wasted no time meeting the King, but the rest of the group—exhausted from the journey—opted to enjoy Nilfgaard's hospitality. Even Vesemir, who rarely indulged, looked content to rest. After warm baths and a hearty meal, the group collapsed into a much-needed sleep.

One day later

Since the group rode through the night to reach their destination, they took a whole day off, sleeping and recharging their batteries. Since they were inside solid walls, they could sleep well too and not be haunted by the monsters outside. Though Tony had built precautions for that and had an automated drone to monitor and alert the team if there was any kind of intruder from outside.

It was evening when everybody had gathered together. Even Yennefer was here, and everyone had gathered in the massive hall provided to Geralt.

"How come you get the best room in the inn while the rest of us are stuck in peasant accommodations?" Tony asked.

"Maybe because he is the guest of the King," Barton said while eating his food. "I bet it comes with strings attached."

"Thick strings," Vesemir muttered. "I'd wager the King's already made his demands."

"Yes. But I would've done it regardless of his request. And it's not for him," Geralt declared.

"Sounds personal," Steve observed.

"Because it is," Yennefer said as she sat on the side of Geralt, keeping her hand on his lap.

"I believe you have had your rest. I would like to know what your plans are now going forward. Master Vesemir has told me that you are after knowledge," Geralt said, as he didn't want to talk about his mission and preferred to focus on these mysterious individuals who seemed to have popped out of nowhere.

"Yes, we do, and in fact, we have a contract for you too," Liam said.

"Oh? What would that be?" Geralt asked.

"The murder of the Crones in the swamps of Velen. There are three of them. They're powerful and nasty, but we'll fight alongside you," Liam said.

"Crones? I have heard of them. They are said to be the daughters of the 'Lady of the Wood' and possess immense magical power," Yennefer interjected.

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"Exactly," Liam said, his tone firm. "And they need to go."

"Crones... Hmm. I will need more information than just their possessing magic," Geralt said.

"I will provide what I can," Liam said.

"I'm used to working alone. But... I owe you, and I'll make an exception this time," Geralt said. Liam just smirked and didn't reply.

As the group settled into their seats, the warmth of the fire crackling in the hearth filled the room. Geralt pushed his goblet aside and straightened.

"Before we deal with the Crones," he began, "I need to meet someone—a man named Hendrik. He's at the Crossroads, not far from here. The King passed on this information to me himself. He's supposed to have information—important information—about my search."

"Fine by me. We'll deal with the Crones after. But let's make this quick. Hendrik better have something worth the detour," Liam spoke up as he finished the stew in his bowl.

"Alright, since nobody is talking about it, I will ask. What the hell attacked us the previous night?" Barton asked after drinking a bit of ale. This made Geralt, Yennefer, and Vesemir freeze. These three had been trying to avoid the topic, but it seemed they couldn't anymore.

"They are called the Riders of the Wild Hunt," Liam answered, his words making everyone's jaws drop. They didn't expect Liam to know about them, especially since it involved both parties.

"How much have you been hiding from us?" Natasha was getting irritated at this point because of Liam's negligence in debriefing. If Liam was in SHIELD, he would have been court-martialed by now. But then again, was there any prison in SHIELD that could hold him down?

"Liam, you knew damn well who they were and didn't say anything before?" Steve was also disappointed.

"Captain, there are so many monsters here. Beings that defy explanation. There are elves, dwarves, magical monsters left and right. If I start recounting what I know, it will take days. And even then, I can't proclaim that I know everything. Why do you think I am going after these Crones? They are a nasty and downright hateful bunch of women, but I have a feeling they hold knowledge that will be important for the group. And besides, none of you asked who attacked us until Barton opened his mouth."

"You've had time to do so before too," Tony said.

"I did, but speaking of the Wild Hunt will take time. And the team needed rest," Liam said.

"We appreciate that you are giving us time to rest, but from this point forward, we would like it if you disclosed more information to us. We are in unknown lands, and we can't afford to be ignorant," Natasha put her foot down.

"Alright. I admit it was kind of my fault, but you can't blame me for not knowing about an ambush from those freaky bastards beforehand," Liam said.

"Point," Barton said.

"So who the hell are these specter-looking things? Wild Hunt is a wild name for them, though," Tony replied.

"Before I explain about them, I will have to go back in history a bit," Liam said. "The place where we are now is called the Continent as a whole."

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